Mold: Stop Moisture. Stop Mold
MOISTURE management is the most effective and the only practical way to control indoor mold growth. Stop the moisture mold needs to thrive by eliminating water intrusion and high indoor humidity.
1. Keep indoor Relative Humidity (RH) between 30-60% year-round, throughout the building.
Use an automatic-draining dehumidifier in any damp areas like basements and crawlspaces.
Repair and dry out any water intrusion or leaks within 48 hours.
Ensure proper kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and attic ventilation.
Clean high-moisture areas like showers and bathrooms often and routinely.
2. Divert all runoff and surface water away and down gradient from foundation walls and any below-grade windows, doors, or openings.
Confirm lawns and gardens slope away from the building.
Install drainage swales to control the flow of stormwater.
Keep foundation grade and mulch below the weep line of exterior building envelope.
3. Discharge downspouts at least six feet away and down gradient from the building foundation.
Keep gutters free of debris.
Clear downspout discharge areas for unobstructed water flow.
Extend downspouts at least six feet from building.
Remember: Mold spores are part of the natural environment. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores from indoor environments. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control indoor moisture.
Don’t take our word for it…check out independent resources and links:
Learn more about Indoor Air Quality by visiting
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleanup and Remediation recommendations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) also provides a list of resources to help building owners prepare and recover from water events.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
Indoor Air Quality: How to Clean the Air
Increased Ventilation, HEPA & Activated Carbon Filtration, Safest Methods to Clean Indoor Air
Remove Sources of Pollution, Increased Ventilation, Use HEPA & Activated Carbon Filtration
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the best approach to improve indoor air quality controls the source of indoor pollution. During the pandemic, one significant source of IAQ concern was the airborne virus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19. Many air-cleaning technologies were developed to help reduce the spread and eradicate the virus in indoor environments. Unfortunately according to research by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez, an EPA featured speaker, some of these technologies actually CAUSE more pollution than they cure. Based on his research models, Dr. Jimenex concluded the most effective and safest options to clean indoor air are:
1. REMOVE or REPAIR the source of any indoor pollution such as mold, improperly exhausted appliances,
2. Increasing outdoor air into indoor spaces only when the air quality is good
3. Use of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration MERV 17 filters
4. Use of activated carbon (charcoal) filtration
Based on his models, people with prolonged, regular exposure to the by-products of other air cleaning technologies demonstrated no significant increase in positive health outcomes or showed a negative impact on health. For more information about The EPA's Indoor Air Quality recommendations, visit the EPA's IAQ website. The Aug, 2,2023 presentation by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez Health Benefits vs. Disbenefits for Indoor Air Cleaners will be made available online. Check here for updated posted recordings.
Learn more about other steps you can take by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality
Mold: When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
Responding to a water event in your home? When in Doubt, Throw it Out.
Wear protective clothing including gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection.
Throw out impacted medications, food, and any soft goods that cannot be washed and dried.
Dry out any porous materials and affected building materials within 24-48 hours using fans to increase evaporation and dehumidification to reduce relative humidity.
To prevent mold growth:
Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) with dehumidifiers and air conditioners.
Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other appliances outside of the building. Do not allow any vent to terminate within the building, attic, or crawlspace.
Increase conditioned fresh air intake, air circulation, and proper building ventilation.
Remember: There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores from indoor environments. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Don’t take my word for it…independent resources and links:
Learn more about Indoor Air Quality by visiting
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleanup and Remediation recommendations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) also provides a list of resources to help building owners prepare and recover from water events.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
Storm and Flood Recovery
Fact Sheets and Information
We are experiencing more frequent, severe rain events and tropical storms. The intense rainfall from slow-moving, moisture-rich weather systems can inundate and overwhelm area runoff and water management systems. These super-soaker storms can cause havoc and emphasize the escalating threat of flooding from even common thunderstorms.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) provides a list of resources to help building owners prepare and recover from flood events. PaDEP recommendations include:
Document Damage.
Before you begin any cleanup, contact your insurance company and take pictures of any damaged building materials and personal items. Continue documenting and taking pictures throughout the cleanup activities.
Be Proactive.
-- Wash Your Hands with soap and clean water immediately and often after any contact with flood water or contaminated items.
-- Treat and Protect any open wounds, even small cuts or abrasions.
-- Wear Protective Gear for cleanup work.
-- Prevent Mold Growth by cleaning and drying out the building, building materials, and personal items within 48-hours.
-- Safely Dispose of any hazardous materials and contaminated items.
Avoid Hazards.
-- Avoid Flood Waters. Do not wade into water, drive into water, or stand in water.
-- Avoid Structural Damage. Investigate and identify any damage before re-entering any building or using a previously flooded roadway.
-- Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from gas-powered generators, heaters, appliances, and impacted HVAC equipment.
-- Avoid Electrocution from any downed electrical lines, exposed wires, and swamped outlets.
If in doubt, throw it out.
SPECIAL NOTE
Medications: Contact your physician first, and then isolate the containers in a sealed plastic bag until new medications can be secured. Properly dispose of any water-impacted or temperature-impacted medications. Your local pharmacy should be able to help recommend appropriate disposal options.
-- Throw Out potentially any potentially contaminated fresh or frozen foods, home-canned items, boxed, dry, or food staples, and frozen or refrigerated goods that have been exposed to elevated temperatures.
-- Throw Out any porous items, soft goods, or water-logged materials not cleaned and dried within 48 hours.
Don’t take our word for it… independent resources and links:
US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Flood Recovery
https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/be-safe-when-returning-flooded-home
US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Safe Return After Flooding
https://www.pema.pa.gov/Recovery/Documents/Mold-Mildew-Cleaning-Up-Flood-Damaged-Home.pdf
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
Mold: Housekeeping or Health Issue?
When is mold a housekeeping problem versus a “mold problem”?
Good housekeeping helps prevent mold
Indoor mold is often a housekeeping issue because it takes root in areas with insufficient cleaning. Mold is naturally occurring so its presence indoors is not surprising. However, all visible indoor mold should be removed. In most situations, that means routinely cleaning non-porous surfaces with soap and water and discarding any mold-impacted porous materials. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, any home can develop mold growth, and any mold growth left untreated can colonize and become a larger concern.
When mold becomes a problem
Left unchecked, mold can cause and aggravate health conditions and cause structural damage to a home. Indoor mold growth requires professional intervention when anyone in the home is immunocompromised or has an underlying health condition or there is:
Inadequate or poor ventilation
Ongoing, elevated interior humidity
Recurring moisture or water intrusion
A lack of diligent housekeeping
When mold requires testing and professional remediation
Call a professional when you:
Smell musty odors regularly
Notice visible mold growth that recurs after cleaning
Experience repeat water events in the same area
Encounter a water event not completely dried in less than 72-hours
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
Learn more about mold by visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) :
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can control Mold.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
Mold: Prevent Moisture Intrusion
Water infiltration caused by improper exterior drainage is a leading contributor to indoor mold
Water infiltration caused by improper exterior drainage is a leading contributor to indoor mold growth. Follow these US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to help keep rain and surface water out of your home.
1. Ensure a minimum of 8 inches of the foundation is exposed above the surrounding foundation grade.
2. Divert water away from the foundation by grading the 10-foot area immediately adjacent to the foundation with a minimum 5% slope (6-inch drop per 10-foot extension).
3. Redirect water away from the building by grading proximate lawns and gardens with a minimum 2% slope (2.4-inch drop per 10-foot extension).
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
Learn more about water and moisture control by visiting the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency)
Ways to Control Moisture in Your Home.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.